Located in Kilmarnock, this castle is in a rural area. Palace Theatre and Dick Institute are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include The Garage and Visions Leisure Centre. Travelling with kids? Consider Citadel Leisure Centre and Kidz Play. Discover the area's water adventures with power boating and fishing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking.
The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park - 14 min drive - 11.6 km
Dean Castle - 14 min drive - 13.2 km
Getting around
Kilmarnock Station - 15 min drive
Glasgow (PIK-Prestwick) - 20 min drive
Restaurants
The Wheatsheaf Inn (Wetherspoon) - 10 min drive
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Poosie Nansies Inn - 9 min drive
First Edition - 9 min drive
the tartan sheep - 10 min drive
About this property
Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick.
Dating back over 500 years to the Wallace family, new additions were added in 1843 and today, the interiors are elegantly appointed with generations of antiques and artwork. Carnell is a welcoming family home bookable for exclusive use; the spacious reception rooms comfortably accommodate up to 20 guests in the main part with a further 6 guests in the newly converted East Tower (by separate booking see listing).
The main part of Carnell offers 10 bedrooms for guests. All have modern bathrooms and the rooms are equipped with large king or twin beds, fine linens and duvets. The newly converted East Tower provides a fully self-contained suite with a king bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, kitchen with dining area. A further 2 bedrooms with bathrooms are on the floor above. The East Wing is available as a separate booking but will not be offered to other guests if you are booking Carnell. There is an additional fee for the East Tower that is supplementary to the main hire.
There are 2000 acres of gardens, parkland and farms surrounding Carnell for guests to enjoy. There is a hard tennis court, fishing on both the pond and the river as well as croquet and outdoor table tennis. There is a gym with an infrared sauna and indoor table tennis.
Pheasant, partridge and duck shooting is available in season from 01 October to 31 January. It is also possible to go deer stalking subject to the various seasonal restrictions. Outside of these dates, we can also offer clay-pigeon shooting as well as trout and salmon fishing on the River Ayr.
A full household staff looks after you and your party from time of enquiry to your departure. The team aim for a friendly but unobtrusive style of service allowing you to enjoy your house party to the full. For this service, we charge a Daily Guest Fee per person which is dependent on the number of guests & requirements but as a guide for 2026 starts at £165 plus VAT per person per day based on a minimum of 16 guests. This fee is in addition to the rental fee.
The Daily Guest Fee includes twice daily bedroom housekeeping. all meals and drinks with up to one bottle of wine or equivalent per day. We agree menus with you before you arrive. These are usually based on traditional British dishes using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Our excellent Chef can also cater to most dietary requirements. For those parties celebrating special occasions, we can organise music, dancing, photography, flowers, etc..
The dining room comfortably accommodates 26 guests. There is also a large outdoor dining area by the croquet lawn which can be tented and accommodates up to 40 guests. There is further dining on the Tower Terrace for smaller numbers and the John Knox Room can also be used for up to 12 guests. If you are planning a small wedding party, dining can be extended to 40 guests subject to additional charges in the main dining room.
A few people do ask about self-catering but the size of the house doesn't lend itself to this.
Whilst the house is set in rolling countryside, the nearby towns of Troon, Prestwick, Ayr and Kilmarnock are within a short drive and offer a choice of large shops, cinemas and theatres.
Glasgow is 30 minutes drive with an international airport and excellent rail links throughout Scotland and to England. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is 15 minutes drive and has flights from Europe and has an FBO for private jets. Edinburgh Airport is 75 minutes drive. Transfers can be arranged.
Some of the world's top golf courses are within an easy drive including, Royal Troon, Prestwick, Trump Turnberry, Western Gailles and Dundonald.
Local places of interest include Dumfries House, Culzean Castle which are both open to the public.
Edinburgh & Loch Lomond are approximately 75 minutes drive.
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets
No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 8787-2999-9803-5273
Property # 4768871
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick. pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much does it cost to stay at Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick.?
As of 23 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick. on 6 Feb, 2027 start from S$15,709, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick. located?
Located in a rural location, this family-friendly castle is within 6 mi (10 km) of Ballochmyle Golf Club, Howard Park, and Palace Theatre. The Garage and Dean Castle Country Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Historic 2000 Acre Country Estate in Rural Ayrshire, near Troon and Prestwick. Reviews